Safety
Weather changes fast, glaciers move and polar bears pass through town, while search and rescue capacity is limited. Know who to call and how to prepare before you go out.
Watchman, on duty 24/7
Call about polar bears in or near town, fire, water leaks or accidents.
+47 79 02 72 38From a landline in Ny-Ålesund, dial #9.
In town
If you see a polar bear
Call the watchman at once and keep a safe distance, preferably indoors. A bear on one side of town can quickly reach the other. The watchman then alerts every institution on the radio:
“All institutions present, all institutions present. This is the Watchman, this is the Watchman. Polar bear sighted … (location) …”
After working hours, more information is posted on the whiteboard in reception.
- The siren
- A siren sounds in town for a fire or a major accident. Gather in front of the Service Building.
- Fire
- What to do is posted at the entrance of every living quarter and on the room doors. Read it when you arrive.
- Two zones on the map
- Inside the polar bear measure zone, the watchmen act if a bear comes close. Inside the unload weapon zone, every weapon is unloaded, with the bolt, slide or drum open unless holstered or bagged.
In the field
You are responsible for your own safety in the field, unless your host takes it on and goes out with you. Log your trips in your host’s field activity book or on its whiteboard.
Rifle and flare gun, always
A polar bear encounter is a real possibility anywhere on Svalbard. Bring both whenever you leave town. Half-load the rifle at the designated places on your way out, and carry it with the bolt open inside town. Fire only at the shooting range, and raise the flag when you do, unless it is an emergency.
The Kings Bay safety course
A 4-hour polar bear safety course the day after you arrive. You must pass it, or a similar course from NPI or UNIS in Longyearbyen, to rent a firearm from Kings Bay. The certificate lasts three years. Kings Bay does not provide polar bear guards.
Share what you see, report what happens
Post crevasses, polar bear sightings and avalanche danger on the whiteboard in the Service Building. Report incidents and near misses in writing, and copy the NPI leadership at headnpi.nya@npolar.no.
Risk assessment
Assess the risk before you start, even if you never leave town. Your host goes through it with you at the in-brief.
- 1IdentifyWhat can go wrong?
- 2ProtectMinimise risk and problems.
- 3RespondPlan accident management and rescue to minimise damage.
At a minimum, cover
- Fieldwork, including weather, Arctic clothing and cold injuries
- Handling rifles and signal guns
- Driving snowmobiles
- Driving and working on sea ice
- Driving and working on glaciers
- Snow and avalanches
- Special environmental rules and conditions on Svalbard, such as rabies
UNIS runs the Arctic Safety Centre and offers safety courses. The Governor’s website has guides and field logs for planning.